How About Calling It The Minimalist Party?

Four years ago, this is not where I thought the Republican party would be. Bush won the presidency for a second term convincingly, and majorities in both houses of Congress even in the face of a restive populace. It turns out that the crop of victories the Democrats will reap next month were already flourishing in the fields of national discontent. This was evident in the humiliating defeat Republican majorities in Congress suffered two years ago. I thought Pennsylvania and maybe even Wisconsin would move into the permanent Republican sphere by this time. Instead, the Old Dominion has turned blue. North Carolina threatens to follow. This doesn't mean much in terms of Congress. A rose by any other name, is an apt analogy. In Presidential politics, the implications are profound. The Southern block has, one way or another, been stalwartly united throughout the entire history of the nation. If it dissolves, real democracy in America takes a giant leap forward. The only strong block of Republican States left will be the mountain and prairie West. Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota may vote democratic this year, but they are demographically idiosyncratic and can never be counted on with certainty by either party.

It is self evident that America is ripe for political change. The platforms of both political parties clearly do not reflect the current desires of the American people. How long will we allow ourselves to be offered only a choice between what we see as the lesser of two evils, rather than a choice that gives us only those things that we all agree we must have and leaves the rest up to personal choice or at least government at a more local level. I am of the opinion that intelligent, educated, fiscal conservatives will not long remain in the Republican party after the coming rout. They have been hounded out of the leadership and have no voice in Washington. They may move into the Libertarian party and redecorate or more likely, form a new party. If they do it right, they could gut the Democrats with defections and pick up reliable support from the growing ranks of independents. The Republican party would almost immediately dissolve. The neocons and Palinist Luddites share no common ground. I would join a new party if they ditched the religious wackos, xenophobes and war mongers. It would be better if we lightened the load and streamlined government function in this country, before it simply grinds to a halt completely.